When Do Your Trees Need Pruning?
Proper pruning helps reduce potential hazards (current and future!) It also increases beauty and helps train a tree to grow in a structurally sound pattern.
Do you have trees covering your lights at night? Do you have squirrels jumping from your trees to your house and causing problems? Clearance pruning is the solution!
Do you have Japanese Maples or other ornamental species? Our crew can prune to enhance the tree’s beauty, and we often come in to rescue an ornamental tree that has been improperly pruned.
Frequency of Pruning By Tree TypeÂ
Different types of trees require different pruning schedules. The following recommendations come from arboricultural experts Susan C. French, Extension Technician and Bonnie Lee Appleton, Extension Horticulturist, via the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
- Evergreen Trees: Evergreen trees, such as pines and spruces, generally need less frequent pruning compared to deciduous trees. Pruning should be done to remove dead or damaged branches and to maintain the shape of the tree. Evergreens benefit from periodic thinning and deadwood removal.
- Deciduous Trees: Deciduous trees, like oaks and maples, benefit from regular pruning to remove dead branches, improve structure, and promote new growth. The best time to prune deciduous trees is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
Do you have fruit trees? Fruit trees love (and need!) annual or biannual pruning. Without maintenance, they can grow thick with sprouts that trap moisture and mildew, eroding their health and beauty. Proper pruning helps trees flourish, producing more fruit and flowers. A fruit tree that isn’t pruned often breaks under the weight of the fruit. Apple, plum, and pear trees are especially prone to this breakage. For those with fruit trees in the urban environment, the goal is a balance of beauty and productivity when pruning. Our professional fruit tree pruning service can help.
Pruning vs. Trimming
Pruning and trimming serve different purposes.
- Pruning: Focuses on removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches to improve plant health, prevent disease spread, promote healthy regrowth, and shape young plants. It’s typically done at specific times of the year.
- Trimming: Primarily about aesthetics, trimming involves cutting back overgrown branches to keep plants neat and well-shaped. It helps maintain a uniform appearance and can be done whenever plants look unruly. Call our expert tree trimmers to enhance your home or business’s curb appeal.
Benefits of Tree Pruning Services:
- Improves plant health
- Promotes growth and structure
- Enhances fruit and flower production
Benefits of Tree Trimming Services:
- Maintains a neat appearance
- Prevents overgrowth
- Tree trimming in Oregon can be done regularly throughout the year
Branches need to be pruned at the branch collar rather than mid-branch. Pruning in the middle of a branch, often referred to as tipping or topping, depending on the branch size, can harm the tree. It can create weakly attached epicormic sprouts and may even result in the death of the branch or tree. Using sharp, clean tools helps achieve the cleanest cuts for better healing for the tree.
Key Factors in Tree Risk AssessmentÂ
Evaluating the risks associated with trees is vital to determine which ones need pruning and when. A thorough inspection can reveal whether a tree is healthy or if there are potential hazards. Here are the key factors to consider:
- Inspect the Crown: The crown’s condition provides insights into the tree’s health and stability. Brittle species like willows, box elders, and silver maples should only be planted in open spaces, avoiding playgrounds or patios beneath them.
- Review the Tree’s History: Previous topping or storm damage can lead to weakly attached regrowth, and unexplained limb loss may indicate internal issues.
- Identify Cross or Rubbing Branches: Branches that cross or rub against each other create weak points and should be pruned promptly.
- Check for Dead Limbs: Dead limbs, known as “widow makers,” are hazardous and should be removed immediately to prevent accidents.
- Assess if the Tree is Dead or Dying: Dead or dying trees pose significant risks and should be removed by professionals, especially in populated areas.
- Evaluate Leaf Coverage: Sparse or unhealthy leaves can indicate stress. Compare your tree’s leaf coverage with others of similar size to assess its health.
At Beaver Tree Service, our experienced and knowledgeable crew prunes to standards set by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to enhance the appearance and health of your trees and reduce the risk of tree failure. Whether you need minor tree pruning in Medford, OR, or expansive pruning in Bedford, call Beaver Tree Service for the best tree pruning in Oregon.
What Our Customers Say About Us
AwesomeÂ
5 out of 5
I was extremely impressed with the professional quality of the work in trimming and thinning of our trees today. They were polite and efficient. The bid was great as well. I definitely got my moneys worth. Thank you for a great job!
Sheri
Peach Tree Trim
5 out of 5
“Had a wonderful experience. Co. showed up on time, did a good job, and cleaned up well; the site looked better than before they did their work. Five stars.”
Curtis Auer
